[Mailman]

I recently got new wheels and tires for a 2016 Edition #1 and kept having the 'low tire pressure' light reset.


Well it turns out the 453 only reads a specific TPMS sensor - otherwise you get the light and upon startup 'Low Tire Pressure System Disabled - Pressure Sensors Not Present' message that shows up after 10 or so miles of driving.



I took the car in to an authorized MB/Smart center and they told me I had MB sensors, but that warning light would keep coming back unless I got the SMART specific sensors.


Silly me, I thought I scored a deal on $50 for a set of 4 sensors off of ebay (part# A00009050030) < those are not recognized by the 453.


The SMART center checked and there are none in stock in the USA; has to be special ordered from Germany for $210 a piece!
I said I'll pass on the $800 sensors


I went back to the local tire shop I got the tires from and they found the same thing - there are none of those sensors in the USA and it's 7-10 days from Germany.
To make a long story short, the four sensors cost me $520 and the local tire shop would mount them in and re-balance for free --- MB wanted $800 plus $400 labor $1200 for the same job.


So if you get new wheels for your 453, take the TPMS with you or you have to wait 2 weeks for a set of sensors from Germany for $5-600.


I kept my original 'Sport' (8Y) wheels intact that came on the Edition #1 so I could swap for winter but the 2nd set of wheels cost me $2500 total (wheel/tire/TPMS).

 

[sokoloff]

What is the part number for the Smart sensors and I wonder if they are specific to only the 453?

Len
2014 EV Coupe 15,500 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 5,500 miles

 

[1stiski]

Wow I almost went your route with an eBay purchase , but I figured I’d never use my stock wheels again , so I dismounted the OEM sensors and put them on the new wheels .. sorry you had to find out the hard way .. that stinks .

 

[Mailman]

"What is the part number for the Smart sensors and I wonder if they are specific to only the 453?"


They are specific enough that the 453 ECM can't read the 451 sensors :shrug:


The local tire store's equipment only 'is programmed' to read up to 2013 - their handheld doesn't have a menu option for any year higher.


I suspect for the 453 they changed the frequency of them (used to be 'most' MB were 433mhz).


Maybe a forum member will chime in with a part number.

 

[MB DNA]

"What is the part number for the Smart sensors and I wonder if they are specific to only the 453?"

They are specific enough that the 453 ECM can't read the 451 sensors :shrug:

The local tire store's equipment only 'is programmed' to read up to 2013 - their handheld doesn't have a menu option for any year higher.

I suspect for the 453 they changed the frequency of them (used to be 'most' MB were 433mhz).

NOTE, from my 451 experience the sensors required that the old be cleared and the new programmed with a specialized scanner. Not sure it's a frequency change as their equipment only going through 2013 is no doubt a disconnect?

If the part # is A453-905-17-01, appears that they may be available from...

SHOPMBONLINE.COM @ $38 each or
https://www.shopmbonline.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-tire-pressure-sensor-4539051701

Tire Rack (includes picture) @ $85 each?
https://www.tirerack.com/tpms/resul...Model=fortwo+coupe&autoYear=2017&autoModClar=

But they are listed as 433MHz??? And several of the M-B/smartUSA OEM websites list this part as DISCONTINUED?

"For Smart Opel Benz Dacia Lodgy Renault", perhaps the Renault/Nissan "French Connection" is why they may not align with the "standard" M-B frequency protocol?

 

[sokoloff]

If that part is indeed what you want, it still shows in the Mercedes parts database and can be obtained from any Mercedes dealer, since it looks like it is also used on some Mercedes. MSRP - $52 Wholesale - $39 with no shipping and no tax from the dealer I use.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 15,500 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 5,500 miles

 

[Mailman]

NOTE, from my 451 experience the sensors required that the old be cleared and the new programmed with a specialized scanner. Not sure it's a frequency change as their equipment only going through 2013 is no doubt a disconnect?

But they are listed as 433MHz??? And several of the M-B/smartUSA OEM websites list this part as DISCONTINUED?

"For Smart Opel Benz Dacia Lodgy Renault", perhaps the Renault/Nissan "French Connection" is why they may not align with the "standard" M-B frequency protocol?

Thank you for the links MB.
I made a trip on my day off to the authorized Smart service center with the 451 (A0009050030) sensors installed.
I told them the local tire store could clear the code but in about 10 miles of driving, the light came back with the startup message 'wheel sensors missing'...


I'm a mailman, not a rocket scientist (although I have held an BATFE manufacturing license in the past), and all I could come up with is the 453 cannot read the 433mhz MB/451 sensors. The only communication link is the 433mhz transmission from the MB sensors.


It was the authorized Smart center, as well as the local tire shop that looked up what works for my 453 by VIN, and they both told me the same thing - there are no sensors in the USA and it's a special order from MB Germany; 7-10 days out.


Anyways, the local tire shop's $130 ea price was more palatable than the Smart center's $210 ea price

 

[MB DNA]

It was the authorized Smart center, as well as the local tire shop that looked up what works for my 453 by VIN, and they both told me the same thing - there are no sensors in the USA and it's a special order from MB Germany; 7-10 days out.

Anyways, the local tire shop's $130 ea price was more palatable than the Smart center's $210 ea price

Seems that you may have broken the code but what is the appropriate "453" part number?

 

[Richnjohn]

Different TPMS question:
Does anyone know if there is a way to get the TPMS readings on your smart phone? I'd like to monitor the tire pressure when I'm pulling our 453 cabrio behind my RV.

 

[golfboy]

TPMS sensors

I recently got new wheels and tires for a 2016 Edition #1 and kept having the 'low tire pressure' light reset.


Well it turns out the 453 only reads a specific TPMS sensor - otherwise you get the light and upon startup 'Low Tire Pressure System Disabled - Pressure Sensors Not Present' message that shows up after 10 or so miles of driving.



I took the car in to an authorized MB/Smart center and they told me I had MB sensors, but that warning light would keep coming back unless I got the SMART specific sensors.


Silly me, I thought I scored a deal on $50 for a set of 4 sensors off of ebay (part# A00009050030) < those are not recognized by the 453.


The SMART center checked and there are none in stock in the USA; has to be special ordered from Germany for $210 a piece!
I said I'll pass on the $800 sensors


I went back to the local tire shop I got the tires from and they found the same thing - there are none of those sensors in the USA and it's 7-10 days from Germany.
To make a long story short, the four sensors cost me $520 and the local tire shop would mount them in and re-balance for free --- MB wanted $800 plus $400 labor $1200 for the same job.


So if you get new wheels for your 453, take the TPMS with you or you have to wait 2 weeks for a set of sensors from Germany for $5-600.


I kept my original 'Sport' (8Y) wheels intact that came on the Edition #1 so I could swap for winter but the 2nd set of wheels cost me $2500 total (wheel/tire/TPMS).

In the above situation, if the car is out of warranty (after four years) would it not be cost effective to mount new tires on the wheels without the TPMS sensors and have them mounted and balanced that way. Then all you need is an old fashioned tire gauge to check your tire pressure. The light would come on in the dash display but you could just ignore it and the message along with it. Seems you could save several hundred dollars using this approach. Any thoughts?

 

[Mailman]

Yep, you'll have the 'low tire pressure' dash light and startup message on all the time and save $500


Now during this ordeal I ran over something and ended up with a slow leak on the passenger rear 225/35/17.
With such a low aspect ratio tire it's hard to tell 'low' versus 'dangerously low'; and you have no spare.
The tire was replaced with a new one when I got the right 453 TPMS sensors in and it just cost me $26 for a new tire warranty for the new tire (each warranty is paired with the serial number of the tire).


Speaking of low tire pressures and tire warranties; a decade ago I had a Bridgestone Turanaza? 215/35/17 blow out on the highway (not on a Smart) at 75mph. Didn't hit anything but the blowout mangled the fender, turn signal, and of course the rim was ruined.
I tried to get at least another tire under warranty. Bridgestone requested the tire to be sent to their lab.
I did and they denied the replacement tire. Why? Because their lab determined the tire was underinflated ('low tire pressure') for an extended period of time.
Back then all we had was a rubber valve stem and no TPMS.


I think it was a federal mandate about 2008+ that TPMS in all new cars. By 2012 they all had to have them, just like 2006+ required OBD ' 1'


So I'll stand up and say You Want The TPMS System Working. My blowout on the highway could have hit another car, concrete median, whatever and taken my life or other's lives. I'll pay $500 for that.

 

[golfboy]

TPMS sensors

I respect your decision to continue to use the TPMS but at what point does it become too expensive? Right now my 2016 Edition#1 is still under warranty for two more years and my TPMS are working as they are supposed to, so I would not do anything to void the warranty, but after the car is out of warranty and the TPMS fail to work properly in the future, I intend to remove them from my wheels at the time of replacing my tires and go without them. As for your statement that the TPMS keep you informed about the tire pressure becoming too low for safety, that is true but you can accomplish the same thing by checking your tire pressure regularly with a $20.00 tire guage, which I do. I just can't justify spending hundreds of dollars for a TPMS system when a much cheaper alternative is available to use which will give you the same information (a tire pressure gauge).

 

[sokoloff]

You don't have to put in new TPMS sensors every time you get new tires unless you change the wheels too. I just got two new rear tires and did nothing to the old sensors and they are still working fine. That being said, I absolutely hate the fact that cars are now required to have this or that "safety" feature or that you can almost not buy a car without those options already being in a package and on the car. The 451 Smart car may be the last car that had very few extras packed onto it. You got the auto wipers/headlights and TPMS, both of which I can do without. I know how to turn on my lights and wipers when I need them and I know how to check my own tire pressure. You are paying for all of these extras whether you want them or not. I'm thinking of maybe adding FM radio and an eight track player to my next car.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 16,000 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 7,000 miles

 

[golfboy]

TPMS sensors

You don't have to put in new TPMS sensors every time you get new tires unless you change the wheels too. I just got two new rear tires and did nothing to the old sensors and they are still working fine. That being said, I absolutely hate the fact that cars are now required to have this or that "safety" feature or that you can almost not buy a car without those options already being in a package and on the car. The 451 Smart car may be the last car that had very few extras packed onto it. You got the auto wipers/headlights and TPMS, both of which I can do without. I know how to turn on my lights and wipers when I need them and I know how to check my own tire pressure. You are paying for all of these extras whether you want them or not. I'm thinking of maybe adding FM radio and an eight track player to my next car.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 16,000 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 7,000 miles

That's too funny, Sokoloff. I know you don't have to change out the sensors every time you change tires but at some point the battery in the sensor goes bad and it no longer works. That is when I would remove all the sensors from my wheels. This happened to me when I owned a Chrysler Prowler. Two of he sensors stopped working and I bought new tires for the car, I just eliminated the sensors and never looked back. They were also outrageously priced. I can live with the light on in the dash to save a lot of money. Besides, I don't like the nanny state that we live in where the government decides what you should or shouldn't have on your car. I grew up in a time where you drove your car, not the various computer systems! So much for my rant. LOL.

 

[MB DNA]

OEM 451 sensors gave almost 9 years service before failing. Replacement @ Discount Tire ran about $250 as they are a common part not one of those 453 French specialties...

 

[1983JZR3W]

Are tire stores required to replace TPMS if the old ones are defective? Is this some kind of Federal safety law?

 

[Mailman]

Are tire stores required to replace TPMS if the old ones are defective? Is this some kind of Federal safety law?

It's not a federal law, but some states won't pass your emissions with 'any' light on the dash - and they do read codes now through the OBD2 port...

 

[MB DNA]

It's not a federal law, but some states won't pass your emissions with 'any' light on the dash - and they do read codes now through the OBD2 port...

From Tirerack.com - may not be current . . .

List by state:

Delaware No. Confirmed by the DMV.
Hawaii Yes. TPMS needs to be functioning properly in order to pass inspection.
Louisiana No. Confirmed by the DMV.
Maine No. Confirmed by the DMV.
Massachusetts No. Confirmed by the DMV.
Mississippi No. Confirmed by the DMV.
Missouri No. Confirmed by the DMV.
New Hampshire No. Confirmed by the DMV.
New Jersey No. Confirmed by the DMV.
New York No. TPMS is inspected but it is not grounds for inspection failure.
North Carolina No. Confirmed by the DMV.
Pennsylvania No. Confirmed by the DMV.
Rhode Island Yes. TPMS needs to be functioning properly in order to pass inspection.
Texas No. Confirmed by the DMV.
Utah No. Confirmed by the DMV.
Vermont Yes. TPMS needs to be functioning properly in order to pass inspection.
Virginia No. Confirmed by the DMV.
West Virginia Yes. TPMS needs to be functioning properly in order to pass inspection.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=214

 

[smark]

Why isn’t that sensor, covered under your 4 year smart car warranty. Fiat, and Honda covers them under their factory ones.

 

[jzchen]

OP bought new wheels and tires and saved the sensors on the old set.

Len, the government had to mandate them when the technology developed, otherwise lawyers would sue the government whenever there was a tire related accident and they WERE NOT required of the car manufacturers. Probably go after the manufacturers also....

(BTW- Saw the maximum 2 year oil change in some W201 instructions somewhere. I immediately thought of you...)